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US 4,806,902 AGranted
Fluid level monitor and filler assembly
OwnerJohn W. Ganainventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A monitor and filler assembly providing an easily observable reading as to the fluid level in a reservoir such as an automatic transmission or crankcase of an automobile. The filler may be integrally formed with the monitor to allow for easy replenishing of the reservoir fluid to ensure proper operation of the automobile.
Claims17
A combination for monitoring and filling a reservoir with fluid comprising:
- (a) a circular filler assembly having distal and proximal ends permanently connected to said reservoir through said distal end;
- (b) mean for semi-permanent insertion at said proximal end of said filler into said assembly for forming a passageway to allow fluid to be transferred into said reservoir;
- (c) movable and flexible means located within said passageway to monitor the fluid level within said reservoir, said movable and flexible means further including means for floating upon the surface of said fluid;
- (d) indicator means utilizing contrasting first and second colors for displaying an amount of fluid to maintain said reservoir in a filled level;
- (e) said indicator means being located for easy viewing comprising first and second member:
- wherein said first member is attached to said movable and flexible means, and said second member being positioned concentrically upon said insertion means for slidable engagement with said first member;
- (f) said indicator means displaying said first color only by means of said first member when said reservoir is in a filled condition, and said indicator means displaying said first color in contrasting arrangement with said second color by means of the slidable engagement of said second member with respect to said first member to indicate a partial depletion of fluid from said reservoir;
- and
- (g) the length of travel of said movable means through said floating means corresponding to an amount of display of said second color with respect to said first color in accordance with a level/volume ratio of said reservoir, and a greater first and second color contrast indicating a greater depletion of said fluid.
6 more elements
A combination for monitoring and filling a reservoir with fluid comprising:
- (a) a filler assembly having distal and proximal ends connected to said reservoir through said distal end, and said proximal end having an entrance for adding fluid to the reservoir;
- (b) means juxtaposed to said entrance for alternatively blocking foreign matter or allowing fluid to be added to said reservoir;
- (c) a monitor assembly for determining the fluid level within said reservoir located upon said juxtaposed means, and comprising a rotatable member in combination with a vertical moving member which rises or falls in accordance with a level/volume ratio of said reservoir;
- (d) said monitoring assembly further comprising a movable and flexible means located within said filler assembly for connecting with said vertical member, and said movable and flexible means further including a means for floating upon the surface of said fluid;
- (e) whereby the variations in the fluid level of said reservoir cause said vertical member to correspondingly travel with respect to said rotatable member in a manner to allow a visual interpretation to be made with respect to a full/depletion level of said reservoir, and said rotatable member being variable through a circular arc to provide improved visability to an operator conducting maintenance.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.